LB NaVorro Bowman hoping for more time with Raiders defense

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman had a rushed introduction to the Raiders, signing with the team Oct. 16 and playing his first game three days later against the Chiefs.

After nine games, Bowman said, he’s still learning things about the Raiders’ defense - and he’s open to continuing that into next season.

“I’m known for my instincts throughout the NFL, and I haven’t been able to really use those instincts in this defense because I don’t really know it,” Bowman said Friday. “I don’t know when I can take those chances, I don’t know who’s backing me up on certain calls.

“If I’m able to come back next year and get a full training camp in and get used to really communicating with everyone out on the field, I’ll be able to do a lot more. But I’m definitely satisfied with how everything went), how (the Raiders) accepted me, and the coaches - how they trusted me going out there and playing as many snaps as I played.”

Released five games into the season by the 49ers, who were no longer using him as an every-down player, Bowman settled in immediately with the Raiders as their middle linebacker. He has played 97.8 percent of the defensive snaps since joining the team and led the Raiders in tackles in eight of his nine games.

At 29, Bowman, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, has played 106 career games (including the postseason) and suffered two major injuries - a torn ACL in his right knee that caused him to miss the 2014 season and a torn Achilles in 2016.

But he has also brought stability to a key position at which the Raiders have had little in recent years. Teammates and coaches quickly recognized the effect. After his debut against the Chiefs in Week 7, head coach Jack Del Rio called Bowman a “settling influence” on the sideline. Bruce Irvin in December credited Bowman as being a key part of the Raiders’ defensive improvement.

“It’s obvious,” Irvin said after the Raiders’ Dec. 3 win over the Giants. “The guy flies around, takes control of the huddle. You see it, you see the difference from when he wasn’t here and how our defense performed to now. He’s a great competitor, he’s a great leader and I’m just happy to have him.”

Bowman has also embraced a mentoring role with the Raiders’ younger linebackers, including Nicholas Morrow. The undrafted rookie, who became the starting weakside linebacker after a knee injury sidelined Cory James, said he’ll go to Bowman to “get some tips as far as how to watch film, defense, stuff like that - and just talk to him, pick his brain and how he sees things.”

Before signing Bowman, the Raiders’ starting middle linebackers in their first six games were Marquel Lee, their fifth-round draft pick in April, and Morrow. Bringing Bowman back would provide continuity. But going into Sunday’s season finale against the Chargers, Bowman said he’s taking nothing about his future for granted.

“I don’t think guys can afford to do that, being on a team like this where we haven’t played well and changes can be made after this year,” Bowman said. “Everybody, including me and the quarterback, the coaches, we have to be preparing the way that you would prepare if you were 8-0. Because changes can be made at any time in this league and the position that we’re in, you don’t want to put any bad film out there or have any bad game.”